"Wreck-it Ralph" : An Arcade Villain Seeks Redemption

For a while now, Disney has deviated from its tradition of films based on classic tales, or princess inspired plots. Probably to fit in with the demands of a new type of audience, kids are now technology-savvy, and they live surrounded by high-tech devices, and digital universes, which makes it harder to evoke in them any sort of amusement with old school cartoons. Therefore, it appears as a logical choice to create a story than involves the world of video games as the arena for a heartwarming story with the familiar theme of "be-yourself". Kid friendly films have become edgier and edgier each year, what might have seem inconceivable a decade ago, its now widely accepted as "appropriate", and adult are taken into account for this films  as much as children.  Director Rich Moore, whose background includes the adult-oriented animated series The Simpsons, Futurama, and the outrageous Drawn Together, seems like a prime candidate for the task of creating a cameo-packed, 90's childhood satire, product placement darling animated feature. In his feature film debut "Wreck-it Ralph" , he had to tone down the sexually deviant, and extremely violent situations of his previous work. Nevertheless, there is various glimpses here of his tonal style and pop-culture flavor.

The protagonist in the film is a video game bad guy who is tired of being defined by his line of work. Wreck-it Ralph (voice by John C. Reilly) wants to know how it feels  to be the hero for once, instead of being thrown out from a roof everyday and never getting credit for it. His counter part in the game is Fix-it Felix Jr. (Jack McBrayer) enjoys being the good guy but also feels like his personalty defines him, including his power to "fix" everything he touches, at times is more a course than a blessing. They are both part of a bigger gamin universe that involves all the games in the arcade, connected by a central station that has its own rules: If you die outside your game, you don't regenerate. Ralph desperate to fit in decides to leave his game in the quest of a medal that will prove to his game dwellers, that his indeed a good guy. On the road he finds a Call Of Duty-like game that seems like his way to a medal. Once he has his prize, Ralph finds himself trapped in a girly, pink-hued candy world named Sugar Rush, where he meets the tomboyish, sassy Vanellope (Sarah Silverman). This rowdy little girl needs Ralph's help to win a race that will give her back her status as part of the game. The charming relationship of these two misfits is almost like a father-daughter love, and really is enhanced by the amazing job Reilly and Silverman do. The villain here is King Candy, a seemingly nice ruler that hides a very dark, and not so sweet past. Aide by Fix-it Felix, and Jane Lynch as Sergeant Tamora Jean, Ralph and Vanellope will try to earn the place they deserve in the video game
world.

The film is a nostalgic bonanza. There is plenty of great cameos by video game celebrities from Street Fighter, to Sonic, and Pac-Man. It is an homage to those great games for those of us who grew up in the 80's and 90's. The vision and inner workings of the video game world are also very clever, characters traveling through the chords, connected to greater realm of games, and the great illusion of temporary death in the digital world. "Wreck-it Ralph" appeals to those great memories, and find its greatest moments in the back-and forth spit talk between Ralph and Vaneloppe, but sadly there are some "glitches" in the code of the film. There is an excessive amount of ads here, product placement at its most clever. Sure, one cant think of childhood without the love for candy, but here it becomes so obvious its sort of offensive. A cup from Subway, clearly at view for a couple seconds in the arcade, a clearly labeled Nestquick river, a cherry coke bottle-shape mountain, dancing Oreo cookies, a laffy-taffy jungle, all called by their brand name, with no intention of being subtle about it. Honestly, seems like a too-clever, unethical way to get business out of kid-friendly film. Besides that, to counterpoint the exaltment of consumerism, there is a very pushy reinforcement of the "be-yourself" policy that is well known in these type of films. Nevertheless, on the positive side there is very memorable scenes, like the group therapy session for bad guys at the beginning of the film, and the unlikely romance between Fix-it Felix and Lynch's character. It is nice to see that adults get thrown a couple gags in the film too, that despite its flaws, it is entertaining.

With a well thought-out concept, inventive characters, and hilarious situations, "Wreck-it Ralph" its a good addition to the Disney family, perhaps it will not be as memorable as this year's "Frankenweenie" but still will be a good choice for a trip to the movies. At times with signals of not so kid-friendly jokes ( when a villain rips a zombie's heart out to prove a point), but with enough sweetness and a bit of spice to be enjoyable for all ages. If you can make your kids not want candy or any other product advertised here, during or after the movie, then go ahead and enjoy the ride. Now out in theaters. Grade B+